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Basic 20x4 Character LCD - Black on Green 5V (Ding and Dent)

Replacement: None. We are no longer carrying this ding and dent LCD in our catalog. This page is for reference only.

This is a basic 20 character by 4 line display. Utilizes the extremely common HD44780 parallel interface chipset (datasheet). Interface code is freely available. You will need ~11 general I/O pins to interface to this LCD screen. Includes LED backlight.

Note: These LCD screens have a variety of scuffs and slightly damaged screens due to a shipping issue. Therefore we are selling these at a lower price. Be aware that this is a Ding and Dent item and is not on par with our normal LCD quality.

  • 3.86 x 2.36 x 0.55"

Basic 20x4 Character LCD - Black on Green 5V (Ding and Dent) Product Help and Resources

Basic Character LCD Hookup Guide

May 28, 2019
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are a great way to output a string of words or sensor data to a display for visual feedback. In this tutorial, we'll learn about LCDs, how to print a string of words to a 16x2 basic character LCD and create custom characters.
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Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

2 Soldering

Skill Level: Rookie - The number of pins increases, and you will have to determine polarity of components and some of the components might be a bit trickier or close together. You might need solder wick or flux.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

3 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • thegrendel / about 11 years ago / 1

    I have discovered that some of the newer 20x4 LCD displays work at 3.3 volts. Dimmer than at 5 v, but still quite usable. Just think, direct connection to a Pi, Beaglebone Black, or PCDuino without level shifters. Has anyone tried these particular displays at 3.3 volts?

    • XombyCraft / about 10 years ago / 1

      At 3.3 volts you could probably drop in a TI 4050C and boost it to 5v in a handy 1/2" by 1" space (approximately). The 4050C is capable of boosting from 3.0v to 6.5v depending on caps and resistor values you tack on, and is very very stable. Cutoff voltage is rated at 2.95v, but I've found it starts to resonate at about 3.1v, 3.3v is a nice buffer.

  • rawebb / about 11 years ago / 1

    s/11/7/ since the LCD controller can be put into "4 bit" mode where only the upper nibble is needed to send/receive data. Indeed, in a pinch it's even possible to get by with just five (D4-D7 and RS) if R/W is tied low and one depends on hard-coded timeouts that are "long enough" so that one can dispense with checking the state of E.

  • 172pilot / about 11 years ago / 1

    Is the blemish ALWAYS on the frame, or is there a chance that the actual screen is damaged? I don't really care about a scuff as shown in the picture, so long as the screen material itself isn't scratched..

    • RobertC. / about 11 years ago / 1

      we tried to remove any with bad scratches on the screen. you MIGHT see a small scuff or surface scratch on the screen, but none are deep. if you have any concerns, you might want to pass on them.

  • TheRyanBurke / about 11 years ago / 1

    Is the equivalent product this one? https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9568

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